Expert: JM Starkman, MD - 4/1/2010

Question
I am supposed to have Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery on April 8th (7 days from now.) The anesthesiologist just cancelled my surgery because he said I have to be off the Phentermine for two weeks prior to surgery.  I am a 25 year old woman, 5' tall, 150 lbs. I had an EKG done prior to going on the phentermine and it came back completely normal and I have no history of high blood pressure or heart problems. Is the cancellation necessary? Is there medical research backing this up? Is being off the Phentermine for 5 full days enough time to have the surgery done safely? Thank you for your help.

Answer
Yes, the cancellation is necessary.  The back-up research is retrospective and supports your anesthesiologist's decision, although phentermine came on the market with NO prospective anesthesia-interaction data: physicians who placed their patients on this drug had no way of knowing what those interactions might be should surgery/anesthesia be needed.  Five full days is plenty of time for your surgeon to do the case safely, but the issue here is not the surgery but the anesthetic--as your anesthesiologist has aptly related.  

You have done your duty in getting a second opinion.  I'd advise you to now follow the recommendations of your well-informed anesthesiologist.  Thanks for writing and best of luck.